China seeks deeper partnership with Nigeria on poverty reduction, security

China has called on Nigeria to prioritise comprehensive investment in agriculture, food security, education, industrialisation, and security as part of efforts to address poverty and promote sustainable development.

The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, made the call during an interactive session with the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Yusuf Tanko Sununu, and the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Yakubu Kofarmata.

Dunhai noted that both countries share similarities in population challenges, recalling that China once faced severe hunger but has since lifted millions of people out of poverty in the last decade. He pledged Beijing’s readiness to share its expertise and support Nigeria’s efforts at tackling poverty and humanitarian crises.

He stressed that poverty reduction requires a holistic approach, anchored on investment in agriculture, food security, education, industrialisation, and national stability.

Responding, Sununu commended China’s willingness to collaborate, highlighting Nigeria’s humanitarian challenges, which include acute child malnutrition, internally displaced persons, refugees, and climate change impacts.

The minister identified areas of partnership such as durable solutions for displaced persons, skills-to-wealth training programmes, and capacity building for ministry staff and frontline workers.

Kofarmata also welcomed the initiative, saying it would strengthen the ministry’s capacity in humanitarian assistance and poverty alleviation.